Srinagar, May 29 -- By Shahid Hakla Poonchi

The hills of Poonch rarely spoke to power, and few voices crossed beyond them.

Wazir Mohd Hakla Poonchi rose from that silence, carrying mountain life into public space. His world took shape amid steep terrain, scarce services, and long seasonal distances in what is now Jammu and Kashmir.

He was born on 14 March 1915 in Bandi Chechian village of Tehsil Haveli, District Poonch. Fateh Mohammad Hakla, his father, was a respected landowner and pastoralist. After early loss in the household, Makhni Bi sustained the family, with guidance from Noor Mohammad, his paternal uncle, who influenced his early years.

Raised amid pastoral life, he absorbed early lessons in endurance and community responsibi...